Remember to Floss, Floss to Remember

Good oral hygiene pays many dividends. A bright smile,
sound teeth, fresh breath, these are all good things. New research has found
yet another benefit: reduced risk of Alzheimer’s disease.

Brushing and flossing have been proven to help protect
from cardiovascular disease, diabetes and arthritis. That’s beyond the benefits
like avoiding gum disease, cavities and oral surgery. Researchers at the University
of Central Lancashire recently published results of their study on the
correlation between gum disease and dementia in Journal of Alzheimer’s Disease.

The scientists studied the brains from 20 deceased
patients. Half of the patients died with Alzheimer’s disease or dementia. The
other half did not suffer these afflictions. They noticed a surprising
difference between the two groups of brains.

The brains from patients with dementia had sharply higher
concentrations of a bacteria called Porphyromonas gingivalis. This bacteria is
typically associated with gum disease. How the bacteria migrated from the mouth
to the brain is not well understood.

Does this concentration of gum disease bacteria mean that
it causes dementia? Not necessarily. But, just as gum disease can trigger
inflammation in other parts of the body that can lead to cardiovascular disease;
Porphyromonas gingivalis could trigger a reaction in the brain that is somehow
involved in the onset of dementia.

More research is coming. Until then, remember to brush
and floss. The benefits go way beyond a winning smile!